Evermore (Emily Chambers Spirit Medium Trilogy #3)(31)

"What do I always do?" she asked, coming back into the drawing room.

"Have money saved." I indicated the letter. "Another cancelation, I see."

She nodded, grim. "That's the sixth I've received today."

"Sixth!" Good lord. So many. "You do have money set aside, don't you, Celia?" If she didn't, the letter could have just thrust us into what Theo politely labeled 'difficulty.' It was more like poverty. We could not hope to support ourselves without a steady income.

"Not now, Emily, we have a guest." She held out her hand to Theo and he rose and offered his arm. "Luncheon won't be long."

It seemed discussions about our financial state would have to wait a little longer.

When we finally all piled into the carriage again, it was late afternoon. The hazy ball that was the sun had not yet sunk below the buildings, but cast long shadows across the road. Traffic was light and Grosvenor Street not far, but far enough for us to form a plan on the way.

When we arrived at number twelve, Celia and I went down to the servants' entrance below street level. I asked for Mrs. White and as with our last visit, we were shown into the tiny drawing room. She arrived a few minutes later, a polite but strained smile on her face.

"How can I help you, Miss Chambers?"

"This is my sister, Miss Celia Chambers, " I said.

The two women gave each other polite nods, but Mrs. White didn't offer a smile. "Is there something I can do for you both?"

"Oh no, this is a social call," I said. "We were in the area, you see, and when I told my sister about you, she asked to meet you."

"I'm very flattered, and I don't mean to seem ungracious, but I'm very busy. Perhaps another time?"

"Yes, of course," I said.

Celia rose. "What a shame. I was looking forward to a little chat. Emily has spoken so highly of you."

The whole exchange lasted not even a minute. Mrs. White saw us out, apologized again, then shut the door.

"Is she always that rude?" Celia said.

We headed back to the carriage, parked on the other side of Grosvenor Square. We had not wanted Mrs. White to see it. Even if she happened to look out of the top floor window, she could not possibly pick out George's Clarence among the sea of black coaches. She was too far away for one thing, and the tall trees in the central square would block her view.

"Do you think she's aware we're suspicious of her?" I asked.

"She has no reason to be, does she?"

"I don't think so. Well, you had a long enough look at her. Was she the peddler?"

Celia shrugged and walked a few paces along the path before answering. "I don't know."

I stopped and forced her to halt alongside me. "What do you mean? How can you not know?"

"Hush, Emily." Celia gave a polite smile to an elegantly dressed gentleman walking past. He doffed his hat but did not meet her gaze. "Oh, why didn't I take a better look at the peddler!"

"You have no inkling one way or another?"

"None. I could not see a likeness between Mrs. White and the peddler, but if she were disguised with a wig and ragged clothing..." She shook her head. "It's no excuse. I feel utterly useless."

"Never mind. I doubt I would have taken much notice either."

She put her arm around my shoulders. "I used to recall the day when I would be the one reassuring you." She tucked a strand of loose hair behind my ear. "You've grown up so much lately. No wonder Louis is taken with you."

"Is he?" I hadn't expected her to speak of Louis. She seemed to dislike him so. But now that she had, I wanted to grasp the conversation with both hands. I deliberately slowed my pace to allow us more time. "Celia, what does he think of me?"

"I'm sure he cannot fail to see how clever and courageous you are."

"Really?" It warmed my heart to hear her say it. "I do like him. He seems very nice, and noble. He saved a man's life. Imagine that!"

"Yes. Imagine." We strolled a little more in silence until she suddenly stopped. We were almost at the fence on the other side of the square. The coach was within sight. George stood nearby, watching us, but Theo was a little apart, chatting to two ladies with their backs to us. "Emily...this pains me to say it, but...please be careful with Louis. He's not proven that he can be a good father."

"I don't think I need a father at seventeen. Indeed, I've never had one until now. I'll be happy just to see him on occasion and be friends."

"You won't be able to see him. He's going back to Victoria soon."

"I haven't forgotten." I walked off, my heart in my throat. My own reaction to Louis' pending departure surprised me.

Celia took my arm again. I sensed she had more to say but was holding back for some reason.

"Well?" George asked, standing aside so the footman could open the door. Theo joined us, the ladies having walked off. "Was Mrs. White the peddler?"

Celia lowered her head. "I don't know. I'm sorry. I've disappointed everyone."

We piled into the carriage and took our seats, the men opposite my sister and me.

"I say we confront her," George said. "Tell her we know she's Frederick's mother and we know what she's doing to Beaufort and the Waiting Area."